I’ve been researching the LDS religion, because I am courious about it and have considered converting and want my facts straight. Anyways some of the stuff I read suggests that the women are just used to bear children so the men can get to a higher level of heaven. Is that true? Also where did the idea of 3 level of heaven come from? If there is a passage in the Bible could you direct me to it. Thank you for your time.
4 Responses to “I’ve been researching the LDS religion, because I am couriou…”
Ricardo Ramos
2011-03-07 05:57:52
Hi friend. I'm happy you're interested in learning more about the LDS Church! I've been a member of this church since I was a child, and I can't begin to describe how it has blessed my life. It's brought me stability in troubled times and has helped me grow closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. If you're not already doing so, I suggest you visit with the Mormon missionaries. I'm certain they'd be happy to answer your questions as well.
I confirm what Sally wrote. Anti-Mormons work hard to perpetuate the myth that Mormon women are somehow considered inferior to men. Not only is that myth not true, it is specifically antithetical to Mormon teachings. Gordon B. Hinckley, a former president of our Church, recently offered an excellent sermon describing the Mormon view of women. I highly recommend his talk. Here's a summarized video version:
Mormons believe marriage is very important for our future spiritual progress after death. In this sense, both men and women depend on each other for getting into a "higher level of heaven," as you put it. However, it's also important to point out that those who cannot marry through no fault of their own in this life will still have every opportunity to progress after death, since God is just.
To the excellent scriptures about the Mormon view of the afterlife that Sally mentioned, I would add 2 Cor. 12:2. While the Bible does provide some information about the three divisions of heaven traditionally taught in Mormon doctrine, much of what we know about the afterlife (which still isn't much) we know thanks to modern revelation given to modern prophets and apostles.
I hope this answer helps! Please do let me know if you have any more questions. I'm happy to help.
Sally Squire
2011-03-07 02:46:45
Hello Anonymous. Wow, I don't know what you have read that would even give you the slightest thought that women are just used to bear children so that men can get to a higher level of heaven. First off, let me explain, I am a convert myself to the Church. I joined about 35 years ago when I was 19. I am not an expert by any means. But what I put on here will be doctrine that the Church teaches not my opinion. The LDS Church teaches that there are 3 degrees of glory or kingdoms of heaven. The Celestial glory or kingdom being the highest, then the Terrestrial kingdom, followed by the Telestial kingdom. The Celestial kingdom, the highest of the three degrees or kingdoms of glory in heaven, where one is in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The glory of the Celestial kingdom is compared to the glory of the sun in the scriptures. The Terrestrial kingdom or middle degree or kingdom of the three degrees of glory in heaven. In the scriptures, the glory of the Terrestrial kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon. The Telestial the lowest of the three degrees or kingdoms of glory in heaven. The scriptures compare the glory of the telestial kingdom to the glory of the stars. You can find reference to the different glories or kingdoms in 1 Corinthians 15: 40-42. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected. After we are resurrected, we will stand before the Lord to be judged according to our desires and actions. Each of us will accordingly receive an eternal dwelling place in a specific kingdom of glory. The Lord taught this principle when He said, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14: 2). There is also reference in Revelation 20: 12.
To answer the question about women being used to bear children, I want to tell you that it is not true that we are here only for that purpose. Men can not get to the highest degree (Celestial Kingdom) unless they are married. A man and a woman, side by side must be united in an eternal marriage to reach the Celestial kingdom. A man is not to rule over her but beside her and with her as his counselor in the home. So yes, we must both be married to attain the highest level of heaven, but if for no reason of your own you do not marry here on earth, the Lord will make sure that it will be taken care of so that you can reach the highest glory in heaven. We will never be held back if we are doing all that we can do to live worthily here on earth. I hope that I have helped in answering your questions.
Shalon
2011-03-16 21:26:03
When I read your question I almost laughed. Not at you, but a friend of mine asked me the same question and I did laugh. And then asked him if he seriously believed I would put up with a church that Forced me to do anything other than my heart's desire. The minute I asked that, he understood why I would laugh. A woman's greatest role is as a nurturer. But if that 'role' leads you to nurturing thousands of people as a doctor, or a nurse? Of course you should follow the prompting of the Spirit in your life. And some women aren't suited to nurturing at all, or have to have jobs in order to provide sustenance for their families. Some women who WANT to be stay-at-home-moms have lost their husbands and HAVE to work. Neither God, nor the church, will condemn them. Or you.
Richard
2011-03-21 14:48:32
I believe others have answered the "women are used to bear children" question better than I, so I won't address the part about child bearing.
The only thought I have about the different degrees of glory and there being mentioned in the Bible are these. Said Jesus,
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14: 2)
And Paul speaking to the Corinthians, found in 2nd Cor. 12: 1-5 (focus on verse 2) as follows, "1 IT is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
I confirm what Sally wrote. Anti-Mormons work hard to perpetuate the myth that Mormon women are somehow considered inferior to men. Not only is that myth not true, it is specifically antithetical to Mormon teachings. Gordon B. Hinckley, a former president of our Church, recently offered an excellent sermon describing the Mormon view of women. I highly recommend his talk. Here's a summarized video version:
Mormons believe marriage is very important for our future spiritual progress after death. In this sense, both men and women depend on each other for getting into a "higher level of heaven," as you put it. However, it's also important to point out that those who cannot marry through no fault of their own in this life will still have every opportunity to progress after death, since God is just.
To the excellent scriptures about the Mormon view of the afterlife that Sally mentioned, I would add 2 Cor. 12:2. While the Bible does provide some information about the three divisions of heaven traditionally taught in Mormon doctrine, much of what we know about the afterlife (which still isn't much) we know thanks to modern revelation given to modern prophets and apostles.
I hope this answer helps! Please do let me know if you have any more questions. I'm happy to help.
To answer the question about women being used to bear children, I want to tell you that it is not true that we are here only for that purpose. Men can not get to the highest degree (Celestial Kingdom) unless they are married. A man and a woman, side by side must be united in an eternal marriage to reach the Celestial kingdom. A man is not to rule over her but beside her and with her as his counselor in the home. So yes, we must both be married to attain the highest level of heaven, but if for no reason of your own you do not marry here on earth, the Lord will make sure that it will be taken care of so that you can reach the highest glory in heaven. We will never be held back if we are doing all that we can do to live worthily here on earth. I hope that I have helped in answering your questions.
The only thought I have about the different degrees of glory and there being mentioned in the Bible are these. Said Jesus,
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14: 2)
And Paul speaking to the Corinthians, found in 2nd Cor. 12: 1-5 (focus on verse 2) as follows, "1 IT is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.